Fluid dispensing system



March 10,1953 H. E. HEIGIS FLUID DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 22, 1950 2 Sl-lEETS-SHEET l CJW ATTORNEY March 10, 1953 H. E. HEIGIS I FLUID DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 22, 1950 IN V EN TOR.

IKPa' yAZZ llezgzls' A T TORNEY Patented Mar. 10, 1953 FLUID DISPENSING SYSTEM Henry E. Heigis, Nutley, N. .1 assignor to Specialties Development Corporation, Belle-ville, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 22, 1950, Serial No. 186,142

9 Claims.

. The present invention relates to high pressure fluid medium dispensing systems of the type wherein liquefied carbon dioxide is stored and is released to utilize the same as a fire extinguishing medium, and, more particularly, relates to improvements in a system such as disclosed in United States Letters Patent Number 2,492,165, dated December 27, 1949.

In the aforementioned patent, the system shown comprises a plurality of receptacles for storing the pressure medium, a common discharge manifold or delivery pipe, a discharge control valve for each of the receptacles normally retaining the fluid therein and being operable to release the fluid therefrom, and fluid actuated operating means for the valve of each receptacle. Certain of the receptacles, known as the primary or master receptacles, have their valve operating means connected for energization by pressure medium from these receptacles and all of the receptacles have their valve operating means connected for energization by pressure medium in the discharge manifold whereby release of pressure medium into I the manifold from the primary receptacles efiects discharge of all of the receptacles. Such a system is generally referred to as a one pipe system by reason of the fact that a single pipe or conduit serves both as the delivery conduit and as a fluid flow connection between the fluid actuated valve operating means of all of the receptacles.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a system of the foregoing type wherein means are connected in the delivery pipe or discharge manifold for delaying release of the pressure medium from the receptacles other than theprimary receptacles after discharge of the latter has been effected by delaying the flow of the medium into the section of the delivery pipe in which the other than primary receptacles are connected.

Another object is to provide such a system wherein a portion of the pressure medium discharged from the primary receptacles is utilized for conditioning discharge distributing valves and the like and/or for operating a warning device prior to release of the medium from the other than primary receptacles.

Another object is to provide such a system which adapts itself for use of a variety of time delay devices in connection therewith.

A further object is to provide such a system which is simple, practical and economical in construction and is reliable in operation.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of one group of control devices used in connection with the system shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, there is shown a fire extinguishing system of the one pipe type for protecting a plurality of spaces herein designated as A and B by way of example. Generally described, the system comprises a bank of one or more primary or master receptacles or containers ill, and one or more secondary or controlled receptacles or containers II, the receptacles illustrated herein being cylinders of the type for storing'fluid medium under pressure such as liquefied carbon dioxide or the like and being connected for directing the medium to the spaces A and B as described hereinafter. While two receptacles in and two receptacles H are shown by way of example, it will be understood that a system in accordance with the present invention may comprise any number of receptacles l0 and II, and, preferably, a greater number of secondary receptacles I 1! than primary receptacles l0.

Each of the receptacles H1 and I I has connected thereto a fluid medium actuated release control means l2 comprising retaining means, such as a main valve member Hl, which controls the discharge of the fluid medium from the receptacle by way of an opening or main valve port [5 surrounded by a valve seat it, a chamber I1, and a conduit 18 connected to a common discharge pipe or fluid medium delivery means l9.

Each fluid medium actuated release control means 12 further comprises main valve operating means, such as a piston 20, movable in a cylinder 2! which is separated from the chamber it by a partition 22. The lower portion of the cylinder 25 has a vent 23 for preventing the entrapment of air, and the piston 29 and the main valve member i i are operatively connected by a piston rod 2 3 which passes through a gland (not shown) in an opening in the wall 22. A check valve member, such as an apertured disc 25, is located in the chamber H with the rod 24 extending therethrough, and is adapted to seal the valve port from the side opposite the seat l6, whereby the escape of fluid medium in the pipe i5 is prevented should a container be detached or be pierced as a result of gun fire or the like.

The fluid medium release control means ii! of the primary receptacles W are each provided with a fluid flow connection 25 between the receptacle and the cylinder 2! at the upper side ed in tandem by acable Stextending to a control 3 panelv P and provided with .manually operable :means 3| on the panel. However, it will be understood that remotely operable control devices of the pneumatic, hydraulic or electroymagnetic type could be utilized.

The connection -25 is further provided with --check valvemeans 32 constructed and arranged to permit the flow of medium through the connection'irom the receptacle it to the cylinder 2| andtopreventthe flow of medium from the cylinder and to the receptacle, whereby hold 7 :medium admittedinto .the cylinder is trapped therein in back of the piston.

ilnorderto eflect simultaneous operation of dall-of the secondary receptaclerelease control "means by fiuid'medium-in the pipe 19, a connection did is provided "between the conduit 18 and the upper endoi the cylinder 2i. The con nection34xis provided with check valve means 'i35:constructed-and arranged to permit the flow :ofqmedium intothe cylinder and to prevent the 'flowiof-medium'from the'cylinder whereby the ifiuid medium admitted into the cylinder is trapped therein in back of the piston.

As'illustrate'd 'herein, one end of the pipe l9 (at the right as'viewed) has fluid flow restricting -means, such asan orifice 5Q,COIiI1EClJd thereto a and the other end of the pipe is in communication'with a pair of branches ltd and i317 leading to the spaces A and B, respectively. Each of these branches is provided with a discharge outlet 'meansl located in the respective spaces, and a .normally closed valve 420. and 152b, respectively,

located upstream-of the outlet-means.

Asshown in Figure 2, the'valves Madrid 5% ..are.:of. the fluid medium operated, pilot valve controlled type, and generally comprise an inlet 44,.an outlet 45, a port 46 between the inlet and 'theoutlet surrounded by a valve seat ll, a spring urged main valve-member 38 for the seat, a cylinder 69, a piston 59 in the cylinder having a rod 51 for unseating themain valve member, a fluid 'medium flow connection '52 between the inlet and the'cylin'der, and a pilot valve 5 in the connec- :tion 52 for controlling the flow of medium to efiect operation of the piston to unseat the valve 'member.

Aconduit .60 is connected to the downstream end of the fiow'restricting means 40 and is in communication with a pair of branches tea and 661) leading to the-spaces A and B, respectively. .Each of these branches is provided with a fluid *medium'operated warning means,'such as a siren "orwhistle 6 I" located in the respective 'spaces and a normally closed valve 62a and 62?), respectively, upstream of the warning means.

As shown in Figure 2, the valve 62a and 6217 are of the mechanically operated type, and generally comprise an inlet 5-3, an outlet 65, a bore between the inlet and the outlet formed with a seat 67, a spring urged valve member as for the seat for controlling the flow of medium to efiect operation of the warning device 6!, and

stem portions i0 and H at the respective sides of the valve member as slidably mounted in the bore 155.

.The valves 620: and 52b are coupled to the valves Ilia and 521), respectively, with the stem portion H arranged to engage the pilot valve member and effect unseating thereof, and movement of the -valve members 69 and their stem portions is efiected by control devices 29a and 2%, respectively, which include a plunger 12 for engaging the stem portions it.

,As shown "herein, the control devices 29a and F292) are of "pull cable actuated type, and are adaptedto be selectively operated by pull cables "Hid and Mb, respectively, which extend-to the control'panel P (Figure '1) where manually operable means 15a and 15b are provided. The control devices '29 for the pilot valves of theprimary receptacles, .as. illustrated herein, are identical to the control devices 29a and 29b, although it will be'understoocl that the devices-29a and 29b, as well as theidevices 29, could be of the pneumatically, hydraulically or electromagnetically operated types,

I'he novel features of the control devices 29, 29a and 29b constitute the subject matter of United States Patent No. 2,499,402 wherein 'Figure 5 discloses such a device, and, since the construction and operation of these devices is fully disclosed in this patent, a detailed description of these devices herein is not necessary.

In view of the fact that the invention contemplates delaying the discharge of the secondary receptacles for an interval of time after the release of the medium of the primary receptacles .into the pipe 19, this pipe is further provided with a normally closed valve 420 positioned between the points at which the conduits i8 01. the primary receptacles H) "are connected to the pipe and points at which the conduits 18 of the secondary receptacles are connected to the pipe so that fluid medium discharged into the pipe from the receptacles 10 will not eiiect operation oitherelease means of the secondary receptacles unless. the valve 420 is opened.

The valve 420 isidentical to the valves wand 42b and. has its inlet (which isprovided with the :pilot valve controlled fluid medium flOW'COIlIl8G- tion) at the side of .the pipe 153 in which the primary receptacles are connected, the pilot valve being adapted to be .unseated by an element of a time delay device 80.

Ihe time delay device .is not illustrated in detail because it may be of any well known type wherein clockwork or fluid .medium operated means effect delaying the actuation of .theelement for unseating the pilot .valve of the valve 420 until a predetermined interval of time has expired, Such time delay device may be put in operation mechanically by a control device 290 actuated in tandem with the devices 29 by the pull cable 39, or may be put in operation responsive to the pressure of fluid medium in-the pipe 19 by-a conduitlli connecting thepipe and the time delay device.

.-.In .operation,.jshoulda .fire occur intspace A,

the cables 30 and 14a are pulled whereby the fluid medium in the primary receptacles I is released and discharged into the pipe l9, the time delay device is put into operation, and the valve member 69 of the valve 62a and the pilot valve member 54 of the valve 42a are unseated.

The fluid medium in the pipe, by reason of the valve 420 being closed, can only flow through the flow restricting means, into the conduit 60 and the branch 60a thereof, through the valve 62a and to the warning device 6| in the space A to operate the same and give warning to persons in the space that fire extinguishing medium is about to be introduced into the space.

When the time delay period expires, the valve 420 is opened, and fluid medium enters the secmain valve member 48. The fluid medium then flows through the valve 42a to the discharge outlet means 4! located in the space A whereby the medium floods this space to extinguish the fire therein.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the present invention provides an improved system for selectively discharging fire extinguishing medium into one of a plurality of spaces wherein persons in the space are warned and discharge of the medium into the space is delayed for a sufficient time to enable the persons to leave the space. The system is simple and practical, and utilizes a minimum number of valves, control devices and fluid flow connections which are arranged in a manner to simplify the assembly of the system.

As various changes may be made in the form,

7 construction and arrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a fluid distributing system, a conduit, a normally closed valve in said conduit having an inlet and an outlet directly connected to said conduit, a primary source for fluid under pressure, means for normally retaining the fluid in said primary source including an outlet and being operable to release the fluid therefrom, means connecting the outlet of said last mentioned means to said conduit at the valve inlet side thereof, operating means for said retaining means, a secondary source for fluid under pressure, means for normally retaining the fluid in said secondary source including an outlet and being operable to release the fluid therefrom,

. means connecting the outlet of said last mentioned means to said conduit at the valve outlet opening said valve including time delay means including means arranged for effecting operation thereof upon actuation of said primary source retaining means operating means, and fluid delivery means directly connected to the valve outlet side of said conduit for conducting fluid from said secondary source to a point of use.

2. In combination, a pair of receptacles for containing a fluid under pressure, means for each of said receptacles for normally retaining the fluid therein including an outlet and being operable to release the fluid therefrom, a conduit into which fluid may be delivered from both of said receptacles connected to said outlets, fluid actuated operating means for said retaining means of each receptacle, including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder and stem means operatively associated with said piston for engaging said retaining means and rendering the same ineffective, means for conducting fluid from said conduit to said cylinder of said operating means of one of said receptacles, a fluid flow connection between the other of said receptacles and said cylinder of its operating means, a valve in said fluid flow' connection for controlling the flow of fluid from said receptacle to said cylinder of its operating means, means for actuating said 'valve, a stop valve in said conduit between the outlet connections of said pair of receptacles to said conduit, and time delay means including means arranged for effecting operation thereof upon operation of said valve actuating means for controlling the opening of said stop valve.

3. In combination, a pair of receptacles for containing a fluid under pressure; means for each of said receptacles for normally retaining the fluid therein including an outlet and being operable to release the fluid therefrom; a conduit into which fluid may be delivered from both of said receptacles connected to said outlets; fluid actuated operating means for said retaining means of each receptacle, including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder and stem means operatively associated with said piston for engaging said retaining means and rendering the same ineffective; means for conducting fluid from said conduit to said cylinder of each operating means of one of said receptacles; a fluid flow connection between the other of said receptacles and said cylinder of its operating means; a pilot valve in said fluid flow connection for controlling the flow of fluid from said receptacle to said cylinder of its operating means; means for actuating said pilot valve; a stop valve in said conduit between the outlet connections of said pair of receptacles to said conduit including a fluid actuated operating means and a fluid flow connection between its operating means and said conduit at the side in which said pilot valve controlled receptacle is connected, and a valve in said stop valve fluid flow connection; and time delay means including means connected with said pilot valve actuating means for operating said valve in said stop valve fluid flow connection upon operation of said pilot valve actuating means.

4. In combination, a pair of receptacles for containing a fluid under pressure; means for each of said receptacles for normally retaining the fluid therein including an outlet and being operable to release the fluid therefrom; a conduit into which fluid may be delivered from both ing means of each receptacle, including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder and stem means 'said cylinder of itsoperating means; a pilot valvein saidfluid flow connection for controlling the flow of fluid from said receptacle to said cylinder ofits operating means; means for actuating'said pilot valve; a stop valve in said conduit between-the outlet connections of said pair of; receptacles to-said conduit including a fluid actuated operating meansand a fluid flow connection between its operating means and said conduit at the side in which-said valve controlled receptacle isconnected, and av valve in said, stop 'valve; fluid flow connection; time delay means for controlling said valveinsaid stop valve fluid flowconnec-tion; and means including a cable connected for operating said time delay means :simultaneously with said pilot valve operating means.

5,. In a fluid distributing system, a conduit,

"a: .normally closed valve in said conduit having an: inlet andan outlet directly connectedto said conduit, aprimary source for fluid under presconnecting the outlet of said last mentioned means to said conduit at the valve inlet side thereof, operating means for said retaining means, a secondary source for fluid under pressnre,- means for normally retaining the fluid in said secondary source including an outlet and being operable to release the fluid therefrom, meansv connecting the outlet of said last mentioned means to said conduit at the valve outlet side therecf, fluid actuated operating means for said retaining means of said secondary source including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder and stem means operatively associated with said piston for engaging said retaining means and rendering the same inefiective, means for conducting'fluid'from said conduit to said cylinder of:said fluid actuated operating means, means ioropening said valve including time delay means including means'arranged for efiecting-operation thereof: upon actuation of said primary source retaining means operating means, fluid delivery means directly connected to the valve outlet side of said conduit for conducting fluid from said secondary source to a point ofuse, and a fluidioperated warning device at the point of use in" fluid flow connectiononly with the valve inlet side oi-said conduit.

6. In a fluid distributing system, aconduit, a normally closed valve in said conduit having an inlet and an outlet directly connected to said conduit, a primary sourcefor fluid under pressure, means for normally retaining the fluid inrsaid primary source including an outlet and being operable to release the fluid therefrom, means connecting the outlet of said last mentioned means to said conduit at the valve inlet side thereof, operating means for said retaining means, a secondary source for fluid under pressure, means, for normally retaining the fluid in:.said secondary source including an outlet and being operable, to release the fluid therefrom,

means connecting the outletof said last men- 'tioned means to said conduit at the valve outlet side thereof, fluid actuated operating means for said. retaining means of said secondary source includinga cylinder, a piston in. said, cylinder andstem means operatively associatedwith-said piston for engaging said retaining means and rendering thesame ineffective, means for conductingfluid from said conduit to said cylinder of said fluid actuated operating means, means for opening said valve including time delay means including means arranged for efiecting operation thereof upon actuation of said primary source retaining means. operating means, fluid delivery means directly. connected to the valve outlet side of said conduit for conducting fluid from. said secondary source to a point of use having a discharge opening, a fluid, operated warning device. at the point. of, use, means for supplying fluid only from the valve. inlet side of said conduit to saidwarning device, and flow throttling means in said last mentioned means for preventing substantial discharge of fluid from said primary source prior to the opening of said conduit valve.

7-. A systemaccording to claimr6, wherein said fluid delivery means has a plurality of branches each provided with a discharge outlet at the point of-use and-a fluid actuated delivery means valve including a control valve; said supplying means has a branch for each of saiddelivery means branch each provided with a warning device at the point of use and a control valve; and means'for selectively. operating said delivery means control valves andsaid control valve of their respective supply means branches.

8. In a fluid distributing system, a conduit, a normally closedlvalve in said conduit having an inletand an outlet directly connected to said conduit, a primary source for fluid under pressure, means for normally retaining the fluid in said primary source including an outlet and being operable to release thefluid therefrom, means connecting the outlet of said last mentioned means to said conduit at the valve inlet side thereof, operating means for said retaining means, a secondary source for fluid under. pressure, means forv normally retaining the fluid in said secondary source including an outlet and being operableto release the fluid therefrom, means connecting the. outlet of said lastv mentioned means to said conduit at the valve outlet side thereof, fluid actuated operating means for said retaining means of said secondary source including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder and stem means operatively associated with said piston for engaging said retaining means and rendering the same ineflective, means for conducting fluid from said conduit to said cylinder of said fluid actuated operating means, means for opening said valve including time delay means including means arranged for effecting operation thereof upon actuation of said primary source retaining means operating means, fluid delivery means directly connected to the valve outlet side of said conduit for conducting fluid from, said secondary source to a point of use having a discharge opening, a normally closed valve in said delivery means, fluid actuated operating means for opening said last mentioned valve, a fluid operated warning device at the point of use in fluid flow connection only with the valve inlet side of said conduit, and valve means including a pair of connected valve elements operable to simultaneously connect said fluid actuated operating means of said last mentioned valve and said warning device for the supply of operating fluid thereto.

9. In a fluid distributing system, a conduit, 9.

normally closed valve in said conduit having an inlet and an outlet directly connected to said conduit, a primary source for fluid under pressure, means for normally retaining the fluid in said primary source including an outlet and being operable to release the fluid therefrom, means connecting the outlet of said last mentioned means to said conduit at the valve inlet side thereof, operating means for said retaining means, a secondary source for fluid under pressure, means for normally retaining the fluid in said secondary source including an outlet and being operable to release the fluid therefrom, means connecting the outlet of said last mentioned means to said conduit at the valve outlet side thereof, fluid actuated operating means for said retaining means of said secondary source including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder and stem means operatively associated with said piston for engaging said retaining means and rendering the same inefiective, means for conducting fluid from said conduit to said cylinder of said fluid actuated operating means, means for opening said valve including time delay means including means arranged for effecting operation thereof upon actuation of said primary source retaining means operating means, fluid delivery 10 means directly connected to the valve outlet side of said conduit for conducting fluid from said secondary source to a point of use, a normally closed valve in said delivery means, fluid actuated operating means for opening said last mentioned valve including a control valve having a valve element, a fluid operated warning device at the point of use, means for supplying fluid only from the valve inlet side of said conduit to said warning device, a control valve in said supplying means having a valve element connected for movement with said valve element of said first mentioned control valve, and means for eifecting simultaneous operation of said control valve elements.

HENRY E. HEIGIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,969,869 Allen et al. Aug. 14, 1934 2,307,784 Mapes Jan. 2, 1943 2,309,106 Doxsey et al Jan. 26, 1943 2,368,212 Grant Jan. 30, 1945 

